Rugby World Cup 2003 - Finals!

[Havak]

Of course the Wallabies can play better. They can play much much better. The problem is, they're not.

I’m really not sure they can. They have relied so long on the Gregan-Larkham axis that now both are off form together they seem all at sea. Giteau seemed to add some real creativity in the short time he featured.

If he drops Smith who comes into the back row?

Fear not, Mike Catt will once more ride to the rescue and hold the boy's hand. BTW, does Mr Catt set his hair with Plaster of Paris?

Probably. Another Bath Poser don’t you know.

Methinks M'sieur Betsen might use young Moody for kindling to start the fire to brew his post-match macchiato.

Maybe so, maybe so. Don’t be hugely surprised if the Englishman upsets those odds (by not appearing if Hill is fit).

Oh and save your money – Rotherham are a dead duck.

Obviously Clive knows that if he bombs out this weekend, nothing the media has put Eddie through here will register against what the English media will do to him.

Believe it. They will force him to resign without a doubt.

There was a story here that Wilkinson had a tizz with teammates in a Brisbane restaurant last week. I have no idea how true it is

It sounds like wishful thinking. The squad uses a siege mentality to it’s advantage most of the time – they are a very close knit unit. I find it hard to give any credence to this – can you fish around for more info?

Near panic, which seems to be the current play, has its limitations.

Damn right. I hope they look at the numbers on their shirt and ask someone what the position is, that they build patiently and stop trying to force things, and that they get right up their in French faces and say “bring it on” in the best tradition of sporting forwards. I was going to use the old “Sister and Mother” line there but thought better of it

Charvis fell out with the franchise his club ended up in and has indeed settled for a retirement move to the French lower divisions. Amazing what two good games can do for a career eh?

Ditto the Wallabies, presumably.

I am generous enough to extend that with some qualification yes. The qualification being I think they are more resilient than good. So now watch them beat the ABs and prove me an

Wales did. And they, eventually, handled them better than England did.

Oh much better. They were so impressive in so doing I thought we should just hand them the trophy now.

They used their strengths – and they got a healthy dose of luck towards the end too. Take away the try that gave them daylight (as some refs certainly would have) and how impressive would those last few minutes have been?

Wales fronted up superbly against both of us – and lets give them full credit for that first and foremost.

If there is something wrong with Jonno physically the camp is being ultra tight lipped about it. And I think you are remembering Lomu versus Underwood jnr, something that still gives me nightmares!

Tindall kicked across field to Kay for the Welsh opening score. The rumour here is Austin was cavity searched by customs upon arrival (anonymous tip off received from somewhere in NSW apparently).

And I’m not living in the past – I’m living entirely for next weekend at the moment.

Oh and the new rankings are 1) NZ 2) England 3) France 4) Australia 5) Boks. Both NZ and England have played and beaten the Boks but apart form that the ABs are back on top for various minnow whackings.

You are too kind.

Mais naturellement mon ami.

This is obvious to anyone who can see the replays of the said actions (and I have seen them again just before the beginnning of this WC)

Well you memory of the event is therefore fresher. I watched it live and vaguely remember the garryowen tactic (one of Blanco’s few vulnerabilities) and the injury to Blanco – but I don’t recall any hint of it being malicious (and it would seem not just referee but touch official must have agreed with me?). In any case if it was deliberate that is shocking and I apologise on behalf of right thinking fans throughout the country.

None of that though excuses the stupidity of the players in the pack who got carded. When Ali Williams used Lewsey as a climbing frame in June the English forwards didn’t start punching the nearest black shirt. When Toutai Kefu got a nasty late challenge from behind by Mr Kempson in the tri-nations the Aussies were angry but kept their discipline. The tackle on Blanco is possibly a reason for what they did – but it’s no excuse at all.

It is as if Betsen, Magne and Harinordoquy were given the order to catch Johnny Wilkinson in order to wound and incapacitate him. This is not acceptable whatever the team.

True. Shall we keep an eye on those gentlemen then as all three will at various times be looking to hit him as hard as they possible can. The slightest mis-timing could be very serious indeed for Jonny.

Hospital mocking charity.

In a way – although the disciplinary record of Carling’s England wasn’t too bad for the era.

Don't count on it though and remember there are also some ways to irritate some English players not sure of their Rugby.

Can I give you some advice? Spin it wide quickly and you may have wingers running one at one at English locks and props drifting stupidly in a wingers position.

You should fill and send the documents right now, I have heard that the process is rather long.

I’ll keep my pen ready for Sunday.

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

[Havak]

Well the officials have been named. Australia-New Zealand get Chris White with Watson and Jutge on the line (fourth official is Spreadbury just to make Ravagon’s day).

Here is the controversial pick though – Paddy O’Brien for England-France with Dickinson and Nigel Williams on the line. Neither team will get on well with O’Brien who has proven over the last few years he has little empathy with how NH teams play the game – Tamerlin will be pleased.

So Smith is fit, Umaga isn’t (surprise), Tony Marsh is playing down France as favourites and saying this about NZ-Australia…

"If Australia play like they did against Scotland they could lose by 40 or 50 points," he said.
"I see New Zealand as the stronger team. They're far better than Australia."

…but then he is hardly unbiased in that now is he?

Better news is that Hill should finally be fit – and whilst Finbar might wrongly believe Betsen could eat Moody for breakfast the presence of Hill certainly tips that physical battle in our favour.

Still it’s not all bad for Finbar – Lewsey and Balshaw are both expected to be fit so Austin will not join the squad and should be back for our cup game with Sale on Saturday.

[Andydog]

Well, Finbar you were right. No Tana, not even on the bench. I really thought he'd make it judging from his passion to recover and the reports on his improvement. I thought he'd replace MacDonald against Aussie for the final 20 - the kicking going back to Spencer. He would provide the defence currently lacking somewhat in the midfield.

Thinking about it now I guess it's a blessing in disguise. Spencer is looking to be in much better form now that the pressure of kicking has been taken off him, and MacDonald seems to be more accurate anyway.

My heart goes out to Umaga, he tried his utmost to make this game, but in the end couldn't quite get there in time. He won't be risked in the final, not now.

[Havak]

You don't see Australia as much of a barrier then?

[Andydog]

Well, I'm quietly confident but wouldn't be surprised if Aussie get two lucky tries and then put on a rock solid display of defence to keep us from getting ahead.

They'll give it everything they've got, they're the underdogs playing at home and as Thorne said, they know our game.

So yeah, I'll still be ****ting myself.

[Havak]

I'm sure we'll see their best showing of the tournament - but I honestly can't see them beating the ABs even so.

No more leg pulling from me on that one therefore.

The less certain question for me is who the ABs will now face - and you can be sure that one has me ******** myself too.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I’m really not sure they can. They have relied so long on the Gregan-Larkham axis that now both are off form together they seem all at sea. Giteau seemed to add some real creativity in the short time he featured.

He did. Top class player in the making. Good enough now, in fact, to be playing in front of Larkham in his current form. But, of course, the injury kills that possibility! Not that it would've happened anyway.

If he drops Smith who comes into the back row?

He won't. Well, he hasn't. But Cockbain would probably start in his place.

Oh and save your money – Rotherham are a dead duck.

You hope.

It sounds like wishful thinking. The squad uses a siege mentality to it’s advantage most of the time – they are a very close knit unit. I find it hard to give any credence to this – can you fish around for more info?

Apparently he arrived late, had an argument with some teammates, and left again immediately. I'll dig out the name of the restaurant and get their phone number. You can ring them. From work, of course.

Wales fronted up superbly against both of us – and lets give them full credit for that first and foremost.

I do. There are some very good young players in that side. Hope for the future, perhaps.

And I think you are remembering Lomu versus Underwood jnr, something that still gives me nightmares!

Was that who Lomu ran over the top of? I thought it was Catt.

The rumour here is Austin was cavity searched by customs upon arrival (anonymous tip off received from somewhere in NSW apparently).

They asked him to spread his cheeks, and, quite appropriately for him, he opened his mouth.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
He has been recruited during the RWC by the French Pro D2 club of Tarbes. He was until then under contract with three welsh restaurant owners.

Is it true you wrote most of M'sieur Tati's material too?

Call the World Wildlife Fund.

I don't think so. One of me is enough for this world.

[TheStinger]

If England meet the Aussies it won't be in the final

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Here is the controversial pick though – Paddy O’Brien for England-France with Dickinson and Nigel Williams on the line. Neither team will get on well with O’Brien who has proven over the last few years he has little empathy with how NH teams play the game

But Les Grenouilles play a SH style of rugby anyway. England? Well, I'm not sure what they're playing at the moment. Something approaching Blind Man's Bluff, perhaps.

Tony Marsh is playing down France as favourites and saying this about NZ-Australia…

…but then he is hardly unbiased in that now is he?

He's also probably not far wrong, certainly about the Scotland bit.

Still it’s not all bad for Finbar – Lewsey and Balshaw are both expected to be fit so Austin will not join the squad and should be back for our cup game with Sale on Saturday.

Apparently he ticked the "Something To Declare" box on the immigration form. They asked what it was. He said a brain. He was fined for signing a false declaration.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog
Well, Finbar you were right. No Tana, not even on the bench. I really thought he'd make it judging from his passion to recover and the reports on his improvement.

I honestly thought he was never going to make it. I think he was kept around (a) for team morale purposes, and (b) to create whatever doubts they could in opposing teams' minds. Even if he were, technically, fully recovered from the knee, it would have been madness to risk him in such a pressure cooker match with dodgy overall fitness.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog
Well, I'm quietly confident but wouldn't be surprised if Aussie get two lucky tries and then put on a rock solid display of defence to keep us from getting ahead.

They'll give it everything they've got, they're the underdogs playing at home and as Thorne said, they know our game.

So yeah, I'll still be ****ting myself.

Unless there are remarkable turnarounds, we will, at best, I hope, go down fighting bravely.

And then watch the blood flow across the floor of Australian rugby.

[Andydog]

Originally posted by Havak
The less certain question for me is who the ABs will now face - and you can be sure that one has me ******** myself too.

Well, I’m supporting England in that game, especially after how the stuck record has continuously bagged our forward pack since day 1.

I think you’ll have Wilko playing with more confidence if Woodward has Catt outside. As was demonstrated in the second half of the Wales game - they play more of a SH type 1st and 2nd Five. Have you noticed how Spencer and the AB back line seem to play better when Mauger is playing? In the same way I think Catt gives England that extra bit of sharpness. With the way the England midfield has been labouring away, the pressure has been piling onto Wilko with no outlet. Catt seems to offer more as a playmaker and also takes some of the responsibility.

You also need to get all those lumps out of the No 10 channel and make sure that it's the scrum half that is distributing the ball. I think your biggest worry is that you're still lacking in decent attacking backplay, so that is going to make it very hard to score against the French who must be close to your equal (if not better) in the forwards and clearly better in the backs. Also, the French flyhalf looks close to the equal of Wilko at place kicking, so your boys really need to step it up or I'd have to say the French are going to roll ya...

Then again, you’ve played badly in four games out of five and yet you’re still in the semis - anything can happen now and although the frogs are favourites next week you do know what it's like to beat them on a regular basis, so maybe, just maybe.....

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
The less certain question for me is who the ABs will now face - and you can be sure that one has me ******** myself too.

I would assume that you will take Monday off either way. For different reasons.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Andydog
you do know what it's like to beat them on a regular basis, so maybe, just maybe.....

They also knew what it was like to thump the serious crap out of Wales on a regular basis. I'm not sure what the next step up the thumping-out scale from serious crap is, but they would have thumped it out of Samoa, too. Funny things, Rugby World Cups, as most of them have proved. And as you well know, Mr A.